First report to Community
Since 1979, The Birches Nursing Home has been an important part of this community. As a not-for-profit, community governed organization; we are dedicated to providing compassionate and caring support to people as they age. The Birches has been privileged over the years to have the support of the community, both financially through your generous donations and through your participation in the daily lives of our residents.
It’s no secret that the years have taken a toll on our facility. While ongoing repairs and upgrades have been made through the years, The Birches’ layout and design do not meet current standards for long term care facilities. In the Fall of this year, The Birches was included in a list of six nursing homes designated for replacement.
The responsibility for the overseeing a replacement facility falls to the facility’s Board of Directors. The Birches is fortunate to have a strong, volunteer Board of Directors chosen from and elected by the community. This is a significant undertaking for any Board, but one the current Board is ready to take on. As we move forward, we are committed to engaging with the community and maintaining regular communication. This is our first report to the community.
In June 2015, Health Minister Leo Glavine accepted our invitation to see first-hand the need for a replacement facility. During his visit, the Minister stated that the Government would be issuing an open Request for Proposals (RFP). The anticipated date for release of an RFP was September 2015. To date, no RFP has been issued. As we move forward, The Board is committed to ensuring The Birches continues to operate as a not-for-profit, community governed organization.
We hope and anticipate that the Government will hold discussions with The Birches in the near future and that they will work with the current Board to facilitate the process to replace our facility.
The Board will continue to actively advocate for you and work on your behalf to ensure the process is responsive to the needs of our community and those of our residents. In the new year, we will formally host a public meeting to further inform the community and to hear your input.
Thank you.
Board of Directors
The Birches Nursing Home
7702 Highway #7
Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia B0J 2L0
